How to Use Chord Analysis
Quick Answer
Audio Jam automatically detects and displays chords when you import a song.
To view chords:
- Import any song to Audio Jam
- Wait for processing (10-30 seconds)
- Chords appear automatically above the waveform
- Tap any chord to see chord diagram
No manual input needed - AI analyzes and displays chords automatically.
What is Chord Analysis?
Chord Analysis uses AI to:
- Automatically detect chords in any song
- Display chord names and timing
- Show chord diagrams (guitar, piano, ukulele)
- Sync chords with playback
Perfect for: ✅ Learning songs by ear ✅ Understanding chord progressions ✅ Practicing chord changes ✅ Music theory study ✅ Transcription and analysis
How to View Chords
Step 1: Import a Song
- Tap "+" button in Audio Jam
- Select your audio source
- Choose a song
- Import
Step 2: Wait for Processing
- Audio Jam automatically analyzes the song
- Chord detection happens during import
- Usually takes 10-30 seconds
- Processing time depends on song length
Step 3: View Chords
Chords appear automatically:
- Displayed above the waveform
- Positioned at exact timing
- Show chord names (e.g., C, Am, F, G)
- Scroll to see entire song
Example display: D A Bm G D A G |----|----|----|----|----|----| [========waveform========]
Step 4: Tap for Chord Diagrams
To see how to play a chord:
- Tap any chord name
- Chord diagram appears
- Shows finger positions
- Available for guitar, piano, ukulele
Chord diagram shows:
- Finger positions
- Fret numbers
- String names
- Alternative voicings (sometimes)
Using Chords for Practice
View Chords While Playing
Basic playback:
- Press play
- Chords highlight as song plays
- Follow along in real-time
- See exactly when chords change
Visual feedback:
- Current chord is highlighted
- Easy to follow progression
- Sync perfectly with audio
Practice Chord Changes
Workflow:
- Find difficult chord progression
- Create AB Loop around it
- Slow down to 0.5x - 0.75x
- Watch chords change
- Practice transitions
- Gradually increase speed
Example:
- Loop: Verse chord progression (8 bars)
- Speed: 0.75x
- Focus: Smooth transitions between Bm and F#
- Repeat: Until comfortable
Learn Songs by Ear
Workflow:
- Import song
- View chord progression
- Play along on your instrument
- Verify you're playing correctly
- Learn entire song
Benefits:
- No need to search for chord charts
- Accurate timing
- See exact chord changes
- Learn faster
Combine with Other Features
🎵 Chord Analysis + AB Loop
Perfect for learning progressions!
Workflow:
- View chord progression
- Create loop around progression
- Practice repeatedly
- Master chord changes
Example:
- Loop: Chorus (C - Am - F - G)
- Practice: Smooth transitions
- Repeat: 10-20 times
- Result: Muscle memory
🎵 Chord Analysis + Speed Adjustment
Learn difficult changes slowly!
Workflow:
- View chords
- Slow down to 0.5x - 0.75x
- Practice chord changes slowly
- Gradually increase speed
- Reach full tempo
Example:
- Difficult change: Bm to F#
- Start: 0.5x speed
- Practice: Perfect transitions
- Increase: 0.05x at a time
- Master: Full speed
🎵 Chord Analysis + Stem Separation
Practice with backing track!
Workflow:
- View chords
- Separate and mute guitar/piano
- Play along with backing track
- Follow chord display
Example:
- Separate: Guitar stems
- Mute: Rhythm guitar
- View: Chord progression
- Practice: Play rhythm guitar part with band
🎵 All Features Combined
Ultimate learning setup:
- Chord Analysis - See progression
- AB Loop - Focus on section
- Speed Adjustment - Start slow (0.5x)
- Stem Separation - Remove your instrument
- Smart Metronome - Keep steady timing
Result: Master chord progressions efficiently!
Chord Display Features
Chord Names
What you'll see:
- Major chords: C, D, G, A, etc.
- Minor chords: Am, Dm, Em, etc.
- Seventh chords: G7, Am7, Dmaj7, etc.
- Extended chords: C9, Am11, etc.
- Suspended chords: Dsus4, Asus2, etc.
- Diminished/Augmented: Cdim, Gaug, etc.
Chord Timing
Precision:
- Chords positioned at exact timing
- Shows duration of each chord
- Displays chord changes accurately
- Syncs with playback
Visual representation:
- Longer chords = wider display
- Quick changes = close together
- Easy to see rhythm
Chord Diagrams
Available for:
- Guitar - Standard tuning, shows frets and fingers
- Piano - Keyboard layout, shows keys to press
- Ukulele - Standard tuning, shows strings and frets
Diagram information:
- Finger positions
- Fret numbers (guitar/ukulele)
- String/key names
- Sometimes shows alternative voicings
Understanding Chord Progressions
Common Progressions
Pop/Rock:
- I - V - vi - IV (C - G - Am - F)
- I - IV - V (C - F - G)
- vi - IV - I - V (Am - F - C - G)
Blues:
- I - IV - I - V (12-bar blues)
- Often uses 7th chords
Jazz:
- ii - V - I (Dm7 - G7 - Cmaj7)
- Complex progressions with extensions
Use Audio Jam to:
- Identify progressions in songs
- Study how they work
- Apply to your own playing
- Build music theory knowledge
Accuracy and Limitations
What Affects Accuracy?
✅ Better Results:
- Clear, well-produced recordings
- Simple chord progressions
- Standard tuning
- Pop, rock, folk music
- Studio recordings
⚠️ Challenging:
- Complex jazz harmonies
- Heavy distortion
- Dense arrangements
- Unusual tunings
- Live recordings with noise
Typical Accuracy
Excellent (95%+ accurate):
- Pop music
- Folk songs
- Simple rock songs
- Acoustic recordings
Good (85-95% accurate):
- Rock with distortion
- R&B and soul
- Country music
- Most mainstream music
Fair (70-85% accurate):
- Complex jazz
- Heavy metal
- Orchestral music
- Experimental music
When Chords May Be Incorrect
Common issues:
- Complex extended chords simplified
- Bass notes may affect detection
- Passing chords may be missed
- Very fast changes may be approximate
Solution:
- Use your ear to verify
- Chord analysis is a guide, not absolute truth
- Learn to hear chords yourself
- Use as learning tool
Tips for Best Results
✅ Use High-Quality Audio
Better source = better detection:
- Use lossless formats (FLAC, WAV) when possible
- High-bitrate MP3 (320 kbps)
- Avoid low-quality recordings
- Studio versions better than live
✅ Verify with Your Ear
Chord analysis is a tool:
- Use it as a starting point
- Verify by playing along
- Trust your ear
- Learn to hear chords independently
✅ Understand Context
Music theory helps:
- Know common progressions
- Understand key signatures
- Recognize chord functions
- Apply music theory knowledge
✅ Practice Chord Changes
Don't just read - play:
- See chord progression
- Practice on your instrument
- Use AB Loop for difficult sections
- Slow down if needed
- Build muscle memory
Learning Strategies
Strategy 1: Song Learning
Goal: Learn complete song
- Import song
- View entire chord progression
- Divide into sections (verse, chorus, bridge)
- Learn each section separately
- Practice transitions between sections
- Play complete song
Strategy 2: Progression Study
Goal: Understand chord progressions
- Import multiple songs in same key
- Compare chord progressions
- Identify common patterns
- Apply to your own playing
- Build progression vocabulary
Strategy 3: Ear Training
Goal: Develop ability to hear chords
- View chord progression
- Listen without looking
- Try to identify chords by ear
- Check your answers
- Repeat until accurate
Strategy 4: Chord Change Practice
Goal: Master difficult transitions
- Find difficult chord change
- Create tight AB Loop (2-4 bars)
- Slow to 0.5x
- Practice transition repeatedly
- Increase speed gradually
- Master the change
For Different Instruments
For Guitarists
Use chord analysis to:
- Learn chord shapes
- Practice barre chords
- Study chord voicings
- Understand progressions
- Develop rhythm playing
Tip: Tap chords to see guitar diagrams with finger positions.
For Pianists
Use chord analysis to:
- Learn chord inversions
- Practice voicings
- Study harmony
- Develop accompaniment skills
- Understand progressions
Tip: Tap chords to see piano keyboard diagrams.
For Bassists
Use chord analysis to:
- Understand harmony
- Create bass lines
- Follow chord roots
- Study chord tones
- Develop walking bass
Tip: Focus on root notes and chord tones.
For Singers
Use chord analysis to:
- Understand song structure
- Learn harmony
- Practice with backing tracks
- Study melody over chords
- Develop musicality
Tip: Combine with stem separation to remove vocals.
Troubleshooting
Chords Not Appearing
Check:
- Song finished processing
- Scroll to see chords (may be off-screen)
- Update app to latest version
- Reimport song if needed
Chords Seem Incorrect
Try:
- Verify with your ear
- Check if song uses alternate tuning
- Consider if chords are simplified
- Use as guide, not absolute truth
Can't See Chord Diagrams
Check:
- Tap chord name (don't just look)
- Update app to latest version
- Check if feature available in your region
Chords Not Syncing with Playback
Try:
- Restart app
- Reimport song
- Check for app updates
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are the chords always 100% accurate? A: No AI is perfect. Accuracy is typically 85-95% for most songs. Use your ear to verify.
Q: Can I edit the chords? A: Check your app version for chord editing features.
Q: Does it work for all instruments? A: Yes, chord analysis works for any song regardless of instruments.
Q: Can I export the chord chart? A: Check your app version for chord export features.
Q: Does it show chord diagrams for all instruments? A: Typically guitar, piano, and ukulele. Check app for available instruments.
Q: Will it detect complex jazz chords? A: It attempts to, but complex chords may be simplified. Use your ear for verification.
Q: Can it handle songs with key changes? A: Yes, it should detect chords throughout the song including key changes.
Q: Does it work offline? A: Yes, once the song is analyzed, chord viewing works offline.